WAUKESHA, Wis. - The Elmhurst University softball team opened CCIW play by dropping a pair of games at Carroll University. The Bluejays fell 5-1 in game one and dropped game two 7-5.
Elmhurst fell to 6-11 overall while Carroll improved to 12-4 overall and 4-0 in league play.
CARROLL 5, ELMHURST 1 (Game One) - Carroll pushed though four runs over the fifth and sixth innings to pull away for a 5-1 victory in the opening game of the doubleheader.
The Pioneers struck first, scoring on a Madison Palasz RBI single in the first. Palasz and Claudia Spencer each drove in a run in the fifth to extend Carroll's lead to 3-0.
Elmhurst jumped on the scoreboard in the sixth inning on a
Jena Hicks' RBI. The Bluejays loaded the bases with two outs but the Pioneers were able to get out of the jam. Carroll tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth on a Kaylee Learman two-run double.
Alexis Laizure led Elmhurst at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with a run scored.
Jamie Haas added a pair of hits.
Sydni Gizynski took the loss for the Bluejays, working five innings and scattering eight hits and three runs. She walked two and fanned two.
CARROLL 7, ELMHURST 5 (Game Two) - Elmhurst jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but Carroll scored five runs in the sixth inning to rally for the sweep.
The Bluejays struck first, scoring a run in the second on a
Reese Coon RBI single. Carroll scored twice in the third on a two-run single from Learman to move in front.
Elmhurst plated three runs in the fourth to move back in front. A two-run single from
Alex Kiriakopoulos gave the Bluejays a 3-2 lead. A passed ball allowed another Elmhurst run to score to give the Bluejays a 4-2 cushion. A Carroll error allowed the Bluejays to add another unearned run in the fifth.
Carroll broke the game open in the sixth, scoring five times on three hits coupled with three Elmhurst errors. Kristin Schernecker, Learman and Palasz all drove in runs in the inning for the Pioneers.
Hannah Dunk and
Chiara O'Leary finished with two hits apiece to lead the Bluejays at the plate.
Gizynski made the start in game two, working three innings and surrendering three hits and two runs. She walked two and walked one. O'Leary suffered the loss in relief, scattering five hits while allowing just one earned run.
Elmhurst is scheduled to play Millikin on Sunday, April 10, at Salt Creek Park.